Thyridanthrax Bee Fly vs Fever Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thyridanthrax Bee Fly Fever Fly
Scientific Name Thyridanthrax fenestratus Dilophus febrilis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Bombyliidae Bibionidae
Size 8-14 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Thyridanthrax Bee Fly

A bee fly with distinctive clear 'windows' in otherwise dark wings, found in sandy habitats across southern Europe. Larvae are parasitoids of tiger beetle and solitary wasp larvae.

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Did You Know?

The translucent 'windows' in its dark wings may help break up its outline, camouflaging it against dappled sandy ground.

Fever Fly

A small, shiny black march fly with spiny front tibiae used for digging. It was once believed to cause fevers in humans, hence its common name, though it is completely harmless.

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Did You Know?

Its spiny front legs are used by females to dig into soil for egg-laying, an unusual adaptation among flies.